The defense said Gibson was a drunk who was in mourning for his mother, and just wanted to have sex with Whitis, not kill her.

"If there was ever a case relevant for the death penalty to be filed, it would be this one," said Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson.

The week's testimony provided a gruesome timetable of events.

Gibson, who had recently lost his mother, called 74-year-old Christine Whitis, who was a friend of Gibson's mother, saying he needed someone to talk to.

She went to the house, where authorities said she was tortured, bound with duct tape, sexually assaulted, her back broken and had one of her breasts cut off with a kitchen knife.

Gibson's defense team said he never meant to kill the woman, but was acting under the influence of marijuana and alcohol.

Prosecutors called it a planned act, labeling it one of the most gruesome cases they've ever tried.

"(It's) very disturbing, very gruesome, very difficult," said Henderson.

It was difficult, too, for family members, who left the courtroom in tears. One simply said justice was served.

"I think it's at least some sense of relief for the victim's family to be able to see 12 independent people reach a verdict of guilty," said Henderson. "I think that's some sense of relief for them. But again, our work is not done, we have the second phase on Monday, and we look forward to that."

Even before closings, both sides argued what charges the jury should even consider.

"I argued that the words from the defendant's own statement, that he 'flipped out,' or something to that effect," said Henderson.

In addition to murder, the defense wanted to add voluntary manslaughter.

Lead defense attorney J. Patrick Biggs claimed that Gibson testified that he flew in a blind rage when Whitis stopped his sexual advances.

"Their argument was that that was sudden heat. Our case law in Indiana says that's not sudden heat. That has to be fighting words that would provoke a reasonable person, and in this case, I don't think those words would provoke a reasonable person when they're asked to stop because, 'What would your mother think?'" said Henderson.

The judge denied the voluntary manslaughter charge.

The defense called only one witness, Detective Ken Fudge with the New Albany Police Department.

He was questioned about the garbage bags, chainsaw and other tools in Gibson's garage where family found Whitis' body. The defense tried to discredit the state's belief Gibson had plans of disposing of Whitis' body.

"We believe by the placement of the bags, near the body of Whitis as well as the location of the chainsaw, that suggests evidence he was going to dispose of the body," said Henderson.

After 25 minutes, the defense rested its case.

"I'm confident that there is sufficient evidence that the jury will come back guilty," said Henderson.

The jury deliberated for 17 minutes before coming back with the guilty verdict.

The penalty phase will begin at 9 a.m. Monday. Henderson said that could take two or three days. Gibson is facing the death penalty.

This is first trial of three for Gibson. He is also charged in the killings of Karen Hodella and Stephanie Kirk.